CSMG 2020 Highlights
The 2020 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering was held on January 25-28 and welcomed 649 participants from 100 dioceses to Washington, D.C. The theme was: “Bearing Witness: Life and Justice for All.” The Office of Education and Outreach (E&O) collaborated with numerous USCCB offices including the Pro-Life Secretariat and 16 national Catholic organizations to plan and implement another successful Gathering that included bringing together 140 individuals (an unprecedented number) from diverse ethnic and ability backgrounds to CSMG through the Diversity Outreach Initiative (DOI). We also welcomed ninety-two participants in the Young Leaders Initiative (YLI) representing 40 college and university campuses. During the Hill day, participants visited 222 Congressional offices to share issues of key concern.
Program highlights included an opening keynote and Welcome Mass by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago; presentation of the Sr. Margaret Cafferty Development of Peoples Award to Ronnie Moore, a community leader from the Archdiocese of New Orleans; a panel on bridgebuilding on life and justice featuring prominent ministry leaders; a CCHD panel with community leaders who work in restorative justice; a domestic and international policy focused on issues of human life and dignity; and a sending Mass by Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville.
Our Call to Holiness: Life and Justice for All, Opening Keynote Remarks by Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich, Saturday, January 25, 2020
Monday Morning Homily by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Monday, January 27, 2020
Monday Reflection by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Monday, January 27, 2020
CSMG 2019: Gathered, Formed, and Sent!
The 2019 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering was a great success! Here are some highlights:
- The 2019 theme was "Let Justice Flow (cf. Am. 5:24): A Call to Restore and Reconcile."
Highlights from CSMG 2019's dynamic and engaging program include:
- Bishop participation: Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and USCCB President, celebrated the Sending Mass and offered remarks at the Capitol Hill reception; Msgr. Brian Bransfield welcome and introduced Sunday’s plenary speakers; Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, celebrated the Opening Mass and offered reflections during Sunday prayer; and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, celebrated the Monday Mass and introduced that morning’s plenary speakers.
- More program highlights: Programming at the 2019 CSMG highlighted the Pastoral Letter Against Racism through a panel moderated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism that included Fr. Henry Sands, Dr. Elizabeth Hinton, Ms. Elena Segura, and Fr. Patrick Longalong. Msgr. Ray East offered the opening keynote. Sergio Lopez moderated an international/domestic plenary panel on “Pursing Justice & Reconciliation” featuring Justice Janine Geske, Dr. Daniel Philpott, and Mr. Javier Bustamante. A CCHD panel highlighted the voices of immigrant and refugee leaders, and Sr. Norma Pimentel received the Sr. Margaret Cafferty Development of Peoples Award.
CSMG 2018 highlights
Building Community: A Call to the Common Good
February 3-6, 2018, Washington D.C.
CSMG 2018 Program Book
CSMG 2017 District Visits
For 2017, we did not hold an in-person CSMG due to the USCCB-wide Convocation for Catholic Leaders that same year. Instead, we focused on "in-district" visits by Catholics during the Congressional Recess week of February 20-24.
CSMG 2016 Highlights
Called to Live Mercy in Our Common Home
January 23-26, 2016, Washington D.C.
The theme of the 2016 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering took its inspiration from the Jubilee Year of Mercy and from Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si, calling for an integral ecology that connects justice for our sisters and brothers with care of all creation.
CSMG 2015 Highlights
To Go Forth: Encountering Christ in the Heart of the World
February 7, 2015
Audio of Keynote Presentation -- Father Daniel Groody, University of Notre Dame.
Text of Opening Mass homily -- Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Miami
February 8, 2015
Audio of International Plenary Presentation -- Martina Liebsch, Caritas Internationalis.
Audio of Domestic Plenary Presentation -- Sylvester Brown, Jr., The Sweet Potato Project.
February 10, 2015
Text of Sending Mass homily -- Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Louisville
CSMG 2014 Highlights
Becoming a Church that is Poor and for the Poor
February 2, 2014
Listen to the Opening Plenary presentation by Mr. John L. Allen, Jr., The Boston Globe.
February 3, 2014
Listen to the Keynote Presentation by Dr. Michael Naughton, the University of St. Thomas entitled "The Power of the Imagination in the Catholic Social Tradition" (view the PowerPoint).
Listen to the International Comments by Mr. Michel Roy, Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis.
February 4, 2014
"Drones: Ethics and Use" PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love, Catholic University of America
February 5, 2014
Homily by Bishop Richard E. Pates, Diocese of Des Moines
CSMG 2013 Highlights
Promoting Human Life and Dignity in the Year of Faith
Listen to the Opening Plenary Presentation by Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Boston (click here for text)
Listen to Catholic Social Thought and Our Current Economic Policy Challenges by Dr. Charles M. A. Clark, Professor of Economics, St. John's University (click here to view accompanying presentation slides)
Homily by Bishop Richard E. Pates, Diocese of Des Moines